Did Hard Spun clip heels with Street Sense?

[somerfrost]

Something of interest...I though Street Sense cut over in front of Hard Spun very quickly in deep stretch but i didn't notice any significant reaction by Hard Spun nor of course did the jockey claim foul...nevertheless, an interesting post:

The Homestretch
> Triple Crown Racing
> The Zapruder Film Of The Derby?


archer

Registered User
Posts: 866
(5/10/07 8:22 am)
Reply

The Zapruder Film Of The Derby?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On another thread Modax said of Hard Spun in the Derby:
"He took a couple of bad steps on the backside, and another after Street Sense veered in front of him." On another board someone posted the following.

Since I had nothing to do at work, I took a look at the video to determine once and for all if Hard Spun and Street Sense clipped.

I inverted the video to a black and white negative image and blew it up 6.5 times. I also slowed it down to frame by frame movement. I used the iso of Street Sense and the blimp camera. When this is done, the horses are white images imposed against the very dark track. The jockeys are black bodies riding the white horses. This allows for a much easier way to see the images of the entire horse. Also, the white wrap on the back leg of Street Sense becomes a black wrap on the white leg.

The kinetic motion of Street Sense's left rear leg is disrupted. The cause of the disruption is the left front leg of Hard Spun. Hard Spun, who at this point was striding out with the left front has his foot shift to the left. It caused his foot to plant improperly and lead to the stumble and his head dropping rather dramatically. Street Sense's left rear hoof clearly shifts to the right during the contact.

The blimp footage clearly shows the two white legs (Hard Spun's left front, Street Sense's left rear) blending as one. If Street Sense was clear when he moved over, the white images would have remained seperated by the dark dirt. This did not happen. Two strides after the eighth pole, the horses where making touching.

I am absolutely 100% certain the horses made contact. The video evidence of the iso cam showing the disruption in the kinetic movement of the horses is indisputable.

I also checked earlier in the race where Hard Spun seems to drop his head. The only times he seems to lower his head out of the ordinary is when he is changing leads. He did not change leads at the eighth pole.

[philcski]

It's a nonissue because it didn't affect the order of the race, but it appeared to me like it was very possible there was a minor amount of contact.

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by philcski

It's a nonissue because it didn't affect the order of the race, but it appeared to me like it was very possible there was a minor amount of contact.

Yeah, I don't see it as any issue, just something interesting. I thought as I watched the race that SS was guided to the rail quicker than necessary after passing Hard Spun, the kinda thing that could be a problem...but wasn't.

[slotdirt]

There was a definite bobble by Hard Spun, but whether it was caused by wobbly legs or clipping heels is up for debate.

[Riot]

Saw the same thing, but when you look at the overhead there's room and no contact (see the NBC site for overhead views)

[slotdirt]

Speaking of Hard Spun, how can you not love Larry Jones? I particularly like the quote where he says he told Borel if he goes to the left of Hard Spun, he's going to be running on the turf course.

http://tcm.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=38874